Stop and enjoy it

 That old saying, “time flies when you are having fun”… well it seems that it is true about life in general. 

 Even the moments when you aren’t exactly having fun…

 Time still flies. 

 My firstborn rode away this week, off to start Army basic training. 

My “baby” is more than 8in taller than me. 

(This is not a good picture, but in the last minutes before Canaan left I had a meltdown and needed a “family picture”. This is what I got.)

 My husband, that boy I met in college, has completed almost 20 years in the military now. 

 We might be getting “old”, but don’t tell him that!

 

 Time flies. 

 Stop and enjoy it my friends. 

 Take a deep breath in the middle of the rain and listen for a moment to the music the drops make on the rooftop. 

 Be still as the sun sets and notice the crazy colors expanding across the sky, then applaud as they disappear, just because you enjoyed the show. 

 Lay quietly next to the person you love and enjoy their heartbeat and slow breaths, and maybe even some snoring, as sleep comes after a long crazy day. 

 Stop and enjoy it my friends. 

 Time flies. 

 Remember to SEE that you are blessed every single moment. 

 We would very much appreciate prayers for Canaan in basic training!

Don't blink!

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away....

(Also known as California...)

 When I was a brand new military wife, at our first duty station, and far away from my family, there was another military wife who took me under her wing. She was an "older woman" (probably 32, which at the time seemed so very old) and had two children, probably ages 12 and 2. She seemed to be in such a different world then I was. She knew military terms, had survived deployment, and raising children, and trying to be a mother, wife and employee, all at the same time. These were new to me, and she made them all seem like something I could survive.

 She took the time to introduce me to ideas. She had us over for dinner. I babysat her toddler a few times.

 I had my 23rd birthday right around the time that I met her, so I wasn't a child, but she seemed so much older then me.

 This week I realized that I am now her.

 I am the older wife, who has survived deployment, and military moves. I have raised kids in multiple locations, and learned how to make friends wherever I am. I have seen the ability to communicate with a deployed husband evolve, along with the conflicts he has been part of. (Any other of you "old wives" remember when our men had to wait in line to use a phone, with a 15 minute time limit, and video calls weren't even invented yet?)

 I am an experienced military wife, who has lived in both the enlisted and officer world, both the Air Force and Army.


 I got a reminder of my age a few days ago and it was quite striking.

 I recently mentioned the bible study group I am part of, about being a mom. One of my ladies missed our group time last week and I knew her husband was currently deployed, so I texted her, just to check in. Turns out she had ended up in the hospital several times, dehydrated, from Hyperemesis, which is basically really bad morning sickness. Or, in reality, all day sickness.
 I already had a soft spot for her. This is her first base, first pregnancy, first deployment.... she has a lot going on in her life right now. Adding Hyperemesis simply broke my heart for her.

 But one of my best friends had Hyperemesis during her pregnancy, so I had a walking encyclopedia, ready at hand. I tried to educate myself, and offered my morning to help her out. She needed food that was more likely to stay down (and less damaging if it comes back up) and was feeling too yucky to drive for the last few weeks, so I took her to the grocery, pushed her cart and loaded the heavy water bottles. Super easy, mindless help, mostly just so she would have company.

 While we were out Canaan called, to ask what he could have as a snack. After I hung up I joked with her, about my 13 year old always being hungry. Her response, "My 13 year old brother is exactly the same way!" gave me pause though. Her having a brother the same age as my son suddenly made me feel extremely old. And made me realize that she was probably very, very young!

 I was right.

 She is very, very young.

 When I turn 38 in May I will be double her age.

 She is only 6 years older then my son.

 And I suddenly realized, I am very old. :)


 I can't remember the name of the woman who helped me, all those years ago. Facebook had not been invented yet, and we both moved multiple times with military life and lost touch through the years. Her toddler that I babysat, Jacob, would probably be a junior in high school this year.

 The reminder that time flies is fresh.

 The importance of taking the time to enjoy every moment is pressing.

 Don't blink!

 15 years ago I couldn't have imagined the path we would have taken to end up here. There have definitely been some moments that I stressed too much in the midst of.

 But, all these years later, I am so full of memories; of moments that are worth remembering, and celebrating, and rejoicing in what we learned through them, even if they were difficult in the middle.

 I am thrilled to be the "older woman".

 Let's hope I can live what I have learned in a way that is helpful to these new, young, excited military wives. :)

Blessings,

Bethany

Miller Cave

 Friday evening Andy and I met some of his classmates for dinner at a local bbq place. While we were all chatting one of the couples told us about a local cave, open to exploring, right here on post.
 She gave us the basic directions of how to get there and said, "If you come to a part that looks like you are about to drive off the edge of the earth, you have gone too far."

We found that part. :)

(This picture does not do it justice. It really does look like you are going to drop straight down!)

We turned around.

 At first we thought this lovely little overhang was the cave. 

 So we enjoyed the view for a while.

 But there was more!

 This lovely little window...

had a beautiful view!

 I adored this tree, and how it adapted to the situation it was given. 

So inspiring, and simply beautiful. 

There were two entrances to the "main" cavern - 

 Up and through...

or down and through.

We tried them both. 

I had to take the camera bag off in order to fit through, but I made it!

 I didn't get many pictures of deeper inside the cave. I don't have fancy enough equipment for that! There was a good bit of water, several neat little tunnels, and an unfortunate amount of trash. 

 Canaan "discovered" a part that Daddy didn't fit in, and Mommy wouldn't try to fit in. He got deep enough in that I couldn't see his light anymore! Fortunately for the sanity of mommy, there was a spider blocking the way and he came back. I am sorry that he inherited that fear from me, but this one time I was glad for it! 

Just a few hundred feet away was another cave,

 but it wasn't open for exploring.

 So I made my boys enjoy a few flowers instead.

I love my boys. 

I love their daddy. 

I love the adventures we discover, right around the corner, every day. 

Life is a little crazy sometimes, but life is good. 

Enjoy your adventures my friends!

Blessings, 

Lost in the Woods

 I was re-reading some of my old posts, again. They really are more of a journal than anything. Watching my children grow, right on the computer screen, is bittersweet. When I started this blog Canaan had just turned 4 and Zion was not quite 2. Canaan will be twelve in just 5 weeks and Zion is now 9.
 When I first started writing, almost every word was "adorable", and worthy of posting. (of course!) Now, I think they would really prefer I not call them adorable...

 We live in base housing right now. The duplex itself is really nice, the neighbors are wonderful, and the street has lots of children. However, there is not much of a back yard, and what is there is NOT fenced in. So, Daisy has to be on a leash when she is outside.

 The up side (as well as the down side!) of that requirement is that I am forced to go outside with her. The snow days were really hard on this southern girl, but now that the weather has cheered up taking Daisy for a walk is a joyful experience.

Spring is here!

Color is popping up.

Things that were hidden now show their lovely faces.

And the promise of more to come shows prominently!

This base has a nickname.

"Fort Lost in the Woods"

These two pictures give an idea as to why it is called that. The top picture is about 100 yards from our back door. We come up with a different fun story on a regular basis about why a random concrete pad is in the middle of the woods.

This picture is a five minute walk from our house. 

Nothing in sight except trees! 

 But the beauty you can find while "lost in the woods" is unending. 

 Side note of proud mommy bragging: While on the above mentioned walk Canaan said "Mom, look at that interesting quadrilateral." When I quizzed his little brother as to what made the shape a quadrilateral and not a square, Zion answered correctly.
 My boys make me proud! Not so much "adorable" any longer, but definitely amazing young men.
 I am so very blessed!

Blessings to you, 

Refuge

 Andy is currently attending the Captain's Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood. It is only a six month course, so settling in seems slightly pointless. We haven't hung any pictures and left half the books in boxes. We threw away the couch before we left Ft. Bragg, and have made do with bean bag chairs since we have been here. I don't even know where to look, in the stacks of storage, for Easter decorations.
 But still, when you live someplace, you can't help but settle in. I found a local market with fresh eggs and homemade jams. We joined a homeschool co-op, sharing classes like human anatomy and art. We even signed up for the Easter Play at the church we have been attending.
 I didn't plan on it, but I have settled.

 Yet, somehow, the military medical system has not joined me in that. In that area of my life I am not settled at all! It has taken over 2 months, 3 doctor appointments, and more phone calls to the front desk then I can even count - and I still don't have any of my diabetic supplies or seizure meds.

 I have met people here. Really nice people. However, I would not say I have made any friends. People I can talk to about homeschooling and military life - absolutely. Someone I can call and cry with - not so much. I can't say I have really tried, so I am not complaining - simply pointing it out.
 Last Thursday I was invited to a ladies Bible study. While chatting before hand I gave a quick summary of my complaints about medical help here, or the lack there-of. One of the ladies immediately pulled out her phone and texted a friend. That friend texted someone else, and I had new knowledge of who to talk to and what steps to take within minutes.
 This woman is not my friend. We barely know each other. But she took the time to make contact, find information, and pass it all along to me. She was the hands and feet of Christ in my life, right that moment, when I needed it. She was a friend.

 We talked about Psalm 2 that afternoon, and the verse that stood out to me was 2:12b. "Blessed are all who take refuge in Him."

 Refuge In: not refuge from. Refuge is not hiding. Protection does not mean unable to see, or be seen. I sometimes fool myself into thinking that when I find refuge it means I am not strong enough to shine His glory. That if I seek protection it means I am weak. But refuge IN Him does not mean refuge from everything else. I can have supernatural peace in the middle of extremely stressful moments and still be a shining light and a blooming flower.

 As the Message translation puts it, "if you make a run for God- you won't regret it."

 It has been over a week, again, and I still don't have the supplies I need. I talked to different people, made steps in the right direction, and still don't have the problem solved.

 Yesterday I was very VERY emotional about it. I cried on the phone with Liberty Medical, who actually mail me my supplies. I cried with Tricare, the insurance company. Then I called my mom and cried for her.
 What did crying accomplish? Nothing I guess... but I felt better getting it all out! And I was reminded, again, that I can take refuge IN my Savior, and still make noise and stand up for myself. Technically, I should be completely out of infusion sets. Should have been for days. And you cannot just walk into Walmart and buy them.
 But God works. I have gotten four days out of some, when usually I can only do three. I found two in a suitcase. Yesterday I remembered that I had one in the car (for emergencies!) They will not get here over the Easter holiday. But maybe early next week?

I take refuge in my God. I trust that He is involved, even when I cannot understand.

 I welcome your prayers. Yes, that this problem would be worked out. But even more so that I will remember to take refuge IN my God.

 Psalm 9:9+11 says "The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble... Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; Declare among the peoples His deeds." NASB

 So I sing His praises and declare His deeds. He is my stronghold. His part of the promise remains true. I will follow through with my part too. I will "Tell the world about His unforgettable deeds" NLT

 Thanks for listening!

Blessings, 

A delayed update

 I'm back in GA again for a quick weekend trip. It was my niece's 3rd birthday yesterday. I am not allowed to post pictures of her, but I'll have to share that it was an adorable birthday party. Minnie Mouse everywhere! That little girl was very much prayed into existence and we celebrate every day of her, but birthday parties are extra special.

 After the rush of the party was over my boys claimed the couch, along with their (2nd) Uncle Josh. I couldn't resist this picture, with Canaan still in his Mouse ears. Those are some chillin' boys.

 I realized though, being back in GA again, that I never posted pictures of our last visit. Right after Andy left we spent a week visiting several places.

 Olympic Park, Atlanta

Braves Game with Uncle Kevin

 We stopped at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN, to show the boys where my parent's lived when I was born. 

Married with children housing - 34 years later I think some of those same trailers were still there.  

Cool art in Berea, KY

 We took a break in Manchester, KY, where we lived when I turned 9 and Mary Faith was born. 

 This picture really isn't that great, but I can't find any others from Mary's first days. 

 We went a little farther north to "Binkley Caverns" in southern Indiana.

 Anyplace that shares our name has to be explored! 

You could "Pan for gold" after you explored the caves, and that was a blast!

Frisch's Big Boy - one of several in Indiana

The Patton museum at Ft Knox, KY

Really cool "motel" in KY. We drove by it and had to stop for pictures. I really want to stay there someday! 

 Louisville Slugger factory and museum in Louisville, KY

 They had a special display of baseball Legos. Very Very Cool! 

 This video is a little long, but shows some cool shots of the art. 

Next up, horseback riding. 

As I posted on Facebook, if you haven't ridden a horse in 20 years... don't. 

 My bum hurt for several days! 

I love this picture of my parents. 

 Bumper boats

 And the beautiful Opryland hotel

 A quick stop at a railroad museum

...then back to Nani and Papa's.

That was a great way to spend the first week 

The days are moving along. It has been a whole month now and we stay busy.

Andy does too. 

Life is good! 

Blessings,